Telangana fumes as Governor gets more power over Hyderabad

The Union Home Ministry’s circular to the Chief Secretary of Telangana, giving Governor ESL Narasimhan powers over Hyderabad, has sparked a row.

The circular vests the Governor with powers to oversee law and order in the Capital. The police commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad and Superintendent of Police of Ranga Reddy are to give the Governor periodic reports on the state of affairs.

The State has a separate Cyberabad police commissionerate to handle IT areas.

The Andhra Pradesh Re-Organisation Act has made Hyderabad the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. It also spells out the need to protect the interests of Seemandhra people living here.

The 12 points mentioned the circular have irked the Telangana Government.

IT Minister K Taraka Rama Rao, reacting sharply, made it clear that the Government will do all to retain its powers.

The circular gives the Governor the right to review all the decisions pertaining to Hyderabad. The law and order machinery must work under his directions in times of crises.

The Government has to set up a dedicated cell, with an officer of IG rank as its head, to check hate crime. Besides, a special cell will be set up to look into the issue of internal security.

If required, the Governor can approach the Central and State Governments for additional forces. He can ask for reports from the Telangana Government on law and order.

“We will not allow any moves to snatch our rights to control law and order in Hyderabad. Law and order is the subject of State Government,” said Taraka Rama Rao, who is also the son of Telangana CM Chandrasekhara Rao.

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